Woodlands of Riverside

January 09

Feb 07, 2009

WOODLANDS OF RIVERSIDE NEWSLETTER
Jan/Feb/Mar 2009
Volume I
Issue IV

To Woodlands Residents
If you would like to be advised by e-mail, of fast-breaking news and updates regarding our neighborhood, please send an e-mail to bellelawrence@verizon.net RE: WOODLANDS, with your name and address, which will be added to a group mailing list. Be advised that your e-mail address WILL NOT be given to anyone outside our neighborhood. Thank you.



ANOTHER ALERT
There were two house burglaries in our addition on Thanksgiving weekend, one between the approximate hours of 5 to 9 p.m. Entry was gained by kicking in the garage service door. Also a Deputy Sheriff?’s car was broken into the week of December 1st. Economic times are very difficult at the present time, and it is almost a certainty that break-ins will continue. If there is any good news ?– it is that our neighborhood is not being specifically targeted. These break-ins appear to be happening all over the City. A few home safety tips:

1. Get to know your neighbors; exchange names, phone numbers and other information that make your neighborhood become closer.

2. Get to know which cars belong in your area. Write down license plate numbers and descriptions of strange vehicles in your area, and note the date and time they are present.

3. Keep shades or curtains closed over garage windows.

4. Keep shades or curtains closed over your home windows after dark.

5. Make your home look like someone is there if you are gone for an extended period of time.

6. Have a family member or friend bring in your mail and newspapers while you are gone.

7. Leave a light on or use a timer for your lights if you will be away for a full day or longer.

8. Park your car in your garage if possible ?– or at least keep it locked if parked on the street or in your driveway.

9. Make a list of serial numbers of items in your home. The Police Dept. periodically checks in with local Pawn Shops, looking for stolen property.


SNOW PLOWING
A reminder once again ?– plowing of snow in our Addition is a service provided to our residents. It is not the job of our plowing service to do driveways or handle complaints. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING SNOW PLOWING, PLEASE CONTACT OUR PRESIDENT. Please also remove your vehicles from the street when 3?” or more of snow is in the forecast. This will prevent your vehicle from being ?“plowed in?”. Thank you.

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
The maximum two-year terms served by the Vice President and Secretary will expire effective with the Annual Meeting on January 19th. Also, Matt Dager will not be a candidate for President. Would you please consider submitting your name to be placed on the ballot for these (or any) offices? Or if you know of a person you want to nominate, you may wish to ask that person if you may submit their name. Your Association is only as strong as its Board and active members.


QUARTERLY CALENDAR
Jan. 1st - New Year?’s Day
Jan. 19th - Martin Luther King Day
Feb. 12th - Lincoln?’s Birthday
Feb. 14th - Valentine?’s Day
Feb. 16th - President?’s Day
Feb. 22nd - Washington?’s Birthday
Feb. 25th - Ash Wednesday
Mar. 8th - Daylight Savings Time Begins
Mar. 17th - St. Patrick?’s Day



FOR YOUR INFORMATION
This year, for your information and review, the Newsletter will periodically feature one of our By-Laws OR one or more sections from the Protective Restrictions, Covenants and Easements, which govern our Association.
From our Protective Restrictions:
#1. Easements & Utility Service. (a) Said easements shall be for general utility services, including storm water, sanitary sewer, water, gas, electric light, telephone, and other utility services. (b) All utility easements shall be kept free of all permanent structures and the removal of any obstruction by any utility company shall in no way obligate the utility company for damages or to restore the obstruction to its original form. (c) Any structures, shrubbery, trees, or any installations, on any utility easement for sewers, shall be subject to the paramount right of the utility or sewage treatment works, to install, repair, maintain or replace its utility and sewer installation.


THE BOARD TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY ?“THANK YOU?” TO OUR BLOCK CAPTAINS. Your help has been invaluable to us and we sincerely appreciate all you have done for us and the members of our Association this past year. AGAIN, A BIG THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU!!! Incoming officers are looking forward to working with each of you this coming year.

NOW YOU KNOW - a bit about St. Valentine?’s Day.
Who was this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? We know that February has long been a month of romance and St. Valentine?’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome and defied Claudius II when Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers and outlawed marriage for young men. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ?“valentine?” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl ?– who may have been his jailor?’s daughter. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ?“From your Valentine?”, an expression that is still in use today.
While some believe that Valentine?’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine?’s death or burial ?– which probably occurred around 270 A.D. ?– others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine?’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to ?“christianize?” celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. There are varying ideas about what actually became of Valentine. While some say he was beheaded, others contend that he became sick in prison and died. In 1835, his remains (or what are believed to be his remains) were given to an Irish priest named Father John Spratt, by Pope Gregory XVI. The gift, in a black and gold casket, can still be viewed every Valentine?’s Day at the Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin, Ireland. Cupid, the child-like, winged deity often associated with our modern Valentine?’s Day, is the son of Venus, Roman Goddess of love. In Greek mythology, Cupid is known as Aphrodite?’s son, Eros.
Approximately 85% of all Valentines are purchased by women!!! Oldest known Valentine Card is on display at the British Museum. First Valentine Day greeting cards were produced in the U.S. in the 1840?’s, by Esther A. Howland, known as the ?“Mother of the Valentine?”.
Visit www.history.com/minisite.do?content to view more about St. Valentine?’s Day



The Allen County Recorder?’s Office has received a grant whereby all Association Protective Restrictions and By-Laws can be put on a website provided by the City. For your information ?– if you wish to review the restrictions and/or by-laws of any Community Association in Fort Wayne which has recorded its by-laws, please go to AllenCountyRecorder.US/neighborhoods. Our By-Laws were recorded on December 4, 2008.


PLEASE NOTE
The Board is still seeking a volunteer to be Block Captain for a portion of Whitewater Pass and Whitewater Court. It doesn?’t take much time and the duties are minimal. If you live in this area and want to volunteer, please call the President. Thanks.


PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE FOLLOWING:
Section 3 of our General Restrictions [n] states: ?“No sign of any kind shall be displayed to the public view on any lot, except one professional sign of not more than one square foot ,,, advertising the property for sale or rent?….
There is an increasing and continuing violation of this Covenant by some of our residents at the present time.
It is not the intent of the Board to prohibit members from expressing such views as ?“school pride, religious beliefs or support of our troops?”. Therefore, the Board is suggesting that signs of this type be displayed in a window of your home ?… which would be in compliance with the Covenants.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

Congratulations to the Coots at 1623 Channel Place, winner of the Holiday Decorated Home. A check in the amount of $25.00 will be delivered to this winner. Happy Holidays to all our residents and thanks to all who decorated their homes.